Donor Resources

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FIELD partners with the Asset Funders Network (AFN), which serves as a catalyst for economic opportunity by bringing grantmakers together to learn, connect and reshape the discourse about what is possible. Our work with AFN supports publications, webinars and discussion content at AFN convenings. FIELD also works directly with donors to help inform and shape their microenterprise and business development strategies.

Publications

FIELD produces publications to help donors make decisions about contributing to microenterprise development.

Prison to Proprietor: Entrepreneurship as a Re-entry Strategy (2016), written for the Asset Funders Network by FIELD Director Joyce Klein and FIELD Research Associate Lavanya Mohan, examines the role of business ownership and entrepreneurship in helping formerly-incarcerated individuals navigate re-entry. The brief highlights several programs using business ownership strategies to equip formerly-incarcerated individuals with tools to support themselves, their families, and their communities. More.

Narrowing the Racial Wealth Gap through Business Ownership (2015), written for the Asset Funders Network by FIELD Director Joyce Klein and FIELD Intern Jenna Liang, highlights existing research on the link between the racial wealth gap and business ownership. Because lower levels of business and financial assets held by African-American and Latino households are one of the key reasons for the racial wealth gap, business ownership may be an important means to narrow the gap. More.

Building Assets through Microbusiness (2013), written for the Asset Funders Network by FIELD Director Joyce Klein and former FIELD Research Associate Laura Fischer, elevates microenterprise development as an asset building strategy. They highlight existing research that shows that microenterprise is a critical driver of the economy and assists underserved populations. More.

Additionally, from 2005 to 2011 FIELD produced a series of more than 15 Funder Guides aimed at helping donors better understand the industry and its challenges, and where investments can be most effective. Topics range from credit-building for microentrepreneurs, to job creation, to the role of pricing in microlending. Learn more.

Webinars

FIELD has also hosted webinars for donors on topics such as financial literacy in microenterprise development programming, and leveraging free tax preparation to serve entrepreneurs. Listen to the webinars.